Fireworks display goes off at 9:15 p.m. at Rider University
By: Lea Kahn
A glorious Fourth of July is on tap for Lawrence residents as a fireworks display is set for tonight, Friday, at Rider University.
The annual event will kick off at approximately 9:15 p.m., said township Superintendent of Recreation Steven Groeger.
The celebration had originally been scheduled for Monday night, but rain showers forced the postponement of the fireworks.
The rain has washed away a concert originally scheduled to take place before the fireworks. Fred Campbell and the band First Class Act were set to take the stage at 7 p.m. Monday until the late afternoon rainstorm. The band will not be performing tonight.
There is parking on-campus for fireworks-goers, Mr. Groeger said.
The annual fireworks display has grown considerably since it was moved to the Rider University campus in 1992. In its first year at Rider, fewer than 600 shells were set off. Last year, more than 2,000 shells were fired – including 1,300 shells in the finale. This year’s show is expected to be similar, he said.
Mr. Groeger estimated that about 8,000 people are expected to watch the fireworks show, between the people gathered on the Rider University campus and spectators at Central Park and on the grounds of Town Hall, which is a stone’s throw from the Rider University campus.